Atlanta @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2018 ) Atlanta 4, San Francisco 1

The Atlanta Braves are creeping closer to the National League East title and look to take advantage of a sinking team again on Tuesday, when they visit the San Francisco Giants for the middle contest of their three-game set. Atlanta posted a 4-1 victory in the series opener to increase its division lead over Philadelphia to five games.

The Braves are 4-1 on their seven-game road trip as they move closer to securing their first division crown since 2013. Kurt Suzuki went 3-for-3 with an RBI in Monday's victory and is 11-for-26 with three homers, three doubles and eight RBIs over his last 11 contests. San Francisco has suffered nine consecutive losses to match its worst skid since 2006 and has scored three runs or fewer in eight of the setbacks. The Giants notched three hits in the series opener, leaving just two runners on base.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (10-9, 2.75 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (6-10, 4.33)

Foltynewicz is 0-2 with a 2.16 ERA over his last four starts despite allowing fewer than two runs three times during that stretch. The 26-year-old is 6-6 with a 2.71 ERA in 13 road starts while limiting opponents to a .208 batting average. Foltynewicz is 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA in six career starts against the Giants, including a no-decision on May 4 in which he gave up six runs and nine hits over five frames.

Suarez lost to Colorado in his last turn as he surrendered five runs and six hits - three homers by Trevor Story - over six innings. Suarez, who turns 26 on Tuesday, was superb while winning his previous two turns as he allowed five hits over 14 scoreless frames. The rookie earned his first major-league win on May 6, when he gave up one unearned run and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings against the Braves.

WALK-OFFS

1. A win on Tuesday would give the Braves a series victory in San Francisco for the first time since recording a three-game sweep from April 22-24, 2011.

2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt has gone 4-for-25 with 13 strikeouts during the team's nine-game skid.

3. Atlanta 2B Ozzie Albies has dback-to-back two-hit performances after going 3-for-22 during a five-game stretch.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Giants 0